Digging safety for contractors

Before you break ground on your job site, click or call BC 1 Call. You’ll find out where underground gas and other utility lines are buried on the property. Our tips for safe digging can help avoid damages, costly repair to utility lines and keep your project on schedule.

How to dig safely

  1. Request location information. Click BC 1 Call or call 1-800-474-6886 at least three business days before disturbing the ground in any way. There is no cost for this service.

    BC 1 Call

  2. Plan where it’s safe to dig. You’ll receive a map and directions of where the gas line is buried on the site. You’ll get this information within three days. Learn how to read your service map below.
  3. Find the line. Mark the location of the gas line on the property. If where you plan to dig is within one metre in any direction of where the line is indicated on the map, carefully hand dig with a shovel to expose the line.

    Note: the gas lines indicated on the map are to be used as an estimate. Always exercise caution when digging around underground utilities.

Important: don’t use any mechanized equipment within one metre in any direction of the gas line.

How do you read your service map?

After you’ve contacted BC 1 Call, you’ll receive a package of maps that show the location of gas lines on the property. Use our interactive service map guide or call us at 1-888-822-6555 for help understanding the maps and directions provided.

How can you stay safe when excavating around gas lines?

Download, print and share our Safe digging around gas lines brochure. Damaging a gas line can create a safety hazard for you, your employees and the public.

Always dig by hand first

WorkSafeBC, Technical Safety BC and the BC Energy Regulator require hand digging only to expose buried utility lines.

Guidelines for hand digging and locating lines

Before beginning any excavation or boring, hand dig to locate and expose the line. Do not use mechanical equipment within the “no mechanized dig zone”. The zone is the area equal to the diameter of the pipe, plus one metre in any direction.

You must:

  • have gas line information on site
  • identify the location of the gas line and mark the line with paint or stakes until digging is underway*
  • confirm the location of the gas line by hand digging or hydrovac excavation equipment

*Note: make sure your line markings stay visible throughout your work. Weather and other construction can cause markings to fade or get covered, so check them regularly and re-mark when needed.

You may:

  • use an electronic pipe locator to confirm the approximate location of the gas line
  • use mechanical equipment outside of the no mechanized dig zone
  • use hydrovac excavation equipment if required within the no mechanized dig zone

Do not:

  • use mechanical equipment to excavate within the no mechanized dig zone

Watch our video to learn more


What happens if you damage a gas line or smell gas?

  1. Stop what you’re doing immediately.
  2. Shut off any power tools or machinery.
  3. Call the FortisBC Emergency Line at 1-800-663-9911 (24 hours) or 911.

Contractors are responsible for notifying FortisBC and WorkSafeBC of damage to gas lines. We may seek to recover all associated costs from any person or organization who damages an underground gas line.

What are damage prevention investigators?

A damage prevention investigator determines how and why a gas line was damaged. When a gas line is damaged, we send a crew out immediately to repair it. We may also send a damage prevention investigator. They’ll also educate the person or company involved so they don’t make the same mistakes again.

Learn more as investigators share 7 damaging myths about digging safety and what happens after you hit a natural gas line.

Training opportunities

We offer safe digging training opportunities for contractors, municipal workers and other professionals working near underground utility lines. Contact Ada Nadison, public safety manager, to learn more.